Detachable brush assembly

ABSTRACT

A quick release detachable brush includes a disk having a first side and a second side. The disk has at least one brush attached to the first or the second side or both. The center of the disk has an aperture. A shaft is provided with an elongated portion and a head that is complimentary to the aperture in the disk. The shaft engages the aperture to removably secure the disk to the shaft.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to brushes, and in particular, a brushassembly, which is detachable from a power driven or manually drivenshaft using a quick release attachment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Brushes are commonly used to scrub and/or abrade an underlying surface.Scrub brushes can be used either by hand or in combination with a motordriven mechanism. Using a scrub brush by hand in large applications canbecome difficult and exhausting to the user. One solution has been toattach scrub brushes to a motor driven mechanism, such as a power drill,for example. The motor driven mechanism can provide superior cleaning ofthe surface with less effort by the user.

A problem exists however, because in certain applications the scrubbrush can wear out before the job is complete. Additionally, the usermay want to use different scrub brushes, for example one with relativelyshort hard bristles to provide better cleaning. However, short hardbristles can increase the rotational resistance of the brush. Therefore,another brush with relatively long bristles may be desired for someuses. This requires a brush switching process. With prior artbrush/motor driven mechanism combinations, this brush switching processmay not be convenient because changing the brush is a slow andcumbersome process or because the user does not have two brushesavailable.

The present invention overcomes both of these difficulties by providinga brush assembly that has a quick-release attachment. Additionally, thebrush assembly can be two sided. Therefore, if a second brush is eitherneeded or desired, the user can quickly remove the brush, reverse it,and quickly re-attach it to the drive shaft of the motor drivenmechanism.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A quick release detachable brush assembly is provided according to anembodiment of the invention. The quick release detachable brush assemblycomprises a disk having a first side and a second side. The diskincludes an aperture in the center. At least one brush is attached tothe first or the second side of the disk. The quick release detachablebrush assembly also includes a shaft having an elongated portion and ahead. The head engages the aperture in the disk to removably secure thedisk to the shaft.

A quick release detachable brush assembly is provided according to anembodiment of the invention. The detachable brush assembly comprises adisk having a first side and a second side. A brush is attached to thefirst side of the disk and the second side includes an attachment headprojecting outward. A shaft is also included having an elongated portionand an aperture, wherein the attachment head engages the aperture toremovably secure the disk to the shaft.

A method of forming a quick release detachable brush assembly isprovided according to an embodiment of the invention. The methodcomprises providing a disk having a first side and a second side. Anaperture is provided in the disk. The method her comprises attaching atleast one brush to the first side or the second side of the disk. Ashaft is provided having an elongated portion and a head. The head iscomplimentary to the aperture and engages the aperture to removablysecure the disk to the shaft.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a quick release detachable brush assembly according to anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 shows a quick release detachable brush assembly according toanother embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 shows a cross sectional AA of a shaft for a quick releaseattachment according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 shows a quick release detachable brush assembly according toanother embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 shows a quick release detachable brush assembly according toanother embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1-5 and the following description depict specific examples toteach those skilled in the art how to make and use the best mode of theinvention. For the purpose of teaching inventive principles, someconventional aspects have been simplified or omitted. Those skilled inthe art will appreciate variations from these examples that fall withinthe scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciatethat the features described below can be combined in various ways toform multiple variations of the invention. As a result, the invention isnot limited to the specific examples described below, but only by theclaims and their equivalents.

FIG. 1 shows the quick release detachable brush assembly 100 accordingto an embodiment of the invention. The detachable brush assembly 100includes a disk 101, a brush 102 attached to the disk 101, an aperture103 formed in the disk 101, a groove 104 formed in the aperture 103, ashaft 105, and a securing member 106.

The disk 101 can be made from a substantially rigid material, such asplastic, for example. It should be understood however, that the disk 101could be made from any material suitable for a brushing application.

Attached to the disk 101 is at least one brush 102. The embodiment shownin FIG. 1 only includes one brush 102 attached to the first side 111,however, it should be understood that a second brush could additionallyor alternatively be attached to the second side 112. The brushes 102 canbe attached to the disk 101 in any manner generally known in the art. Ina preferred embodiment, the brushes 102 can be stapled to the disk 101.According to another embodiment, the brushes 102 are attached to thedisk 101 using a hook and loop fastener, such as Velcro® sold by VelcroIndustries B.V. The brushes 102 may also be attached to the disk by anadhesive or other form of bonding generally known in the art. Thebrushes 102 may also be formed as part of the disk 101, such as whenstapled or glued to the disk 101. The brushes 102 can be attached to thedisk 101 in numerous other ways and the precise means of attaching thebrushes 102 to the disk 101 should not limit the scope of the invention.

In embodiments that include a brush 102 attached to both the first side111 and the second side 112 of the disk 101, the two brushes can besubstantially identical. Alternatively, the two brushes could besubstantially different, including different bristle configurationsand/or bristle sizes and lengths. The at least one brush 102 can includean aperture (not shown) that substantially conforms to the aperture 103in the disk 101. This is provided so the attachment of a brush 102 doesnot block the head 108 from engaging the aperture 103.

The disk 101 includes the aperture 103. The aperture 103 is located inthe center of the disk 101 for the purpose of balance. However, itshould be understood that the aperture 103 does not have to be in thecenter of the disk 101. The disk 101 shown in FIG. 1 has a substantiallycircular aperture 103. However, it should be understood that in otherembodiments, the aperture is substantially non-circular, such asrectangular (see FIG. 2), triangular (see FIG. 5), hexagonal, or anyother circular or non-circular shape. The aperture 103 can be any shapeand should not limit the scope of the invention. According to oneembodiment, the aperture 103 has a depth of less than the thickness ofthe disk 101. In other embodiments, the aperture 103 has a depth equalto the thickness of the disk 101, wherein the aperture 103 creates athrough hole.

The aperture 103 is provided for a quick release attachment to the shaft105. The shaft 105 includes an elongated portion 107 and a head 108. Theelongated portion 107 can connect to a motor (not shown), for example.Alternatively, the elongated portion 107 can connect to a handle (notshown) for a user to manually manipulate the brush 102. The head 108 iscomplementary to the aperture 103. In other words, the head 108 issubstantially the same shape as the aperture 103 and has a slightlysmaller diameter to allow insertion of the head 108 into the aperture103. The elongated portion 107 can be slightly larger in diameter thanboth the head 108 and the aperture 103. This enlargement prevents thedisk 101 from sliding beyond the head 108 of the shaft 105 when theaperture 103 comprises a through hole.

The head 108 can include one or more securing members. In the embodimentshown in FIG. 1, the head 108 includes an O-ring 106. The O-ring 106 canbe held on the head 108 in any manner generally known in the artincluding friction, grooves, adhesives, etc. While only one O-ring 106is shown, it should be understood that more than one O-ring 106 could beprovided. The O-ring 106 provides for a friction fit by snapping intothe groove 104 provided in the aperture 103 when the head 108 issubstantially fully inserted into the aperture 103. This friction fitremovably secures the disk 101 to the shaft 105. The friction fit canprevent the disk 101 from accidentally slipping off from the shaft 105.If the user provides enough force to overcome this friction fit, thedisk 101 simply slides off from the shaft 105, thereby providing aquick-release detachable brush assembly. In an alternate embodiment, theaperture 103 may be provided with the O-ring 106 and a groove may beformed on the head 108. In another alternate embodiment, both the head108 and the aperture 103 may be provided with one or more O-rings. Inthis embodiment, both the head 108 and the aperture 103 would also beprovided with grooves for the O-rings to engage.

The head 108 and/or aperture 103 may also have alignment grooves 130.The alignment grooves 130 are provided to engage corresponding alignmentprojections (not shown) formed on the opposite component. The alignmentprojections are provided opposite the alignment grooves 130 on theaperture 103 and/or the head 108 and engage the alignment grooves 130 toprevent the disk 101 from rotating relative to the shaft 105. Accordingto one embodiment, the alignment projections must engage the alignmentgrooves 130 for the head 105 to engage the aperture 103.

In the embodiments described above, the user can simply pull the disk101 off from the shaft 105, reverse the disk 101, and replace the disk101 with the second side 112 facing away from the shaft 105.Alternatively, if the disk 101 does not have a second brush attached tothe second side 112, the user can remove the disk 101 and replace itwith another brush assembly. The embodiments described above provide forquick release detachable brush assembly that does not require the use oftools.

FIG. 2 shows a quick release detachable brush assembly 200 according toan embodiment of the invention. The quick release detachable brushassembly 200 shown in FIG. 2 includes a disk 201, a brush 202 attachedto a first side 211 of the disk 201, an aperture 203 formed in the disk201, a groove 204 formed in the aperture 203, and a shaft 205.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the head 208 and the aperture 203 aresimilar to that shown in FIG. 1 with the difference being that they aresubstantially non-circular. Although the non-circular head 208 andaperture 203 are shown to be substantially rectangular, it should beunderstood that any non-circular shape may be used. While one of theadvantages of the friction fit provided by the O-rings is to prevent thedisk 101 from rotating relative to the shaft 105, a non-circularaperture 203 can provide an alternate approach to preventing thisrotation of the disk 201 relative to the shaft 205. Although thenon-circular head 208 and aperture 203 prevent the disk 201 fromrotating relative to the shaft 205, the O-rings may still be provided onthe shaft 205 to prevent the disk 201 from slipping off from the shaft205.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the securing member comprises a ballbearing system instead of using O-rings. However, it should beunderstood that the O-rings could be used as the securing member inaddition to or as an alternative to the ball bearing system. The ballbearing system is further explained below.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view AA of the shaft 205. The shaft 205 usesa ball bearing system as a way to removably secure the disk 201 to theshaft 205. The shaft 205 includes ball bearings 209, stem 220 withrecesses 221, biasing members 225 and 226, and actuator 215.

In the embodiment shown, the ball bearings 209 are in the lockedposition. In this position, the side of the stem 220 applies a force onthe ball bearings 209 and a portion of the ball bearings 209 extend outof the side of the head 208 through openings 210. The openings 210 canbe tapered or substantially smaller than the diameter of the ballbearings 209 to prevent the ball bearings 209 from fitting completelythrough the openings 210. The portion that extends through openings 210engages with the groove 204 in the aperture 203 when the head 208 isinserted into the aperture 203.

During insertion, the actuator 215 is pressed against the biasing member226. In the embodiment shown, the biasing member 226 comprises a spring.However, it should be understood that the biasing member 226 couldcomprise any type of device that would provide a force against theactuator 215. When enough pressure is applied to the actuator 215 toovercome the force of the biasing member 226, the actuator 215 movestoward the stem 220, in this case, to the right. The stem 220 ispositioned in the chamber 213 and is biased to remain in the positionshown in FIG. 3 by the biasing member 225. The biasing member 225 isshown as a spring, but could comprise any type of biasing member. Whenthe actuator 215 contacts the stem 220, the projection 216 presses downon the stem 220. In response, the stem 220 moves in a downwarddirection. As this occurs, the recesses 221 are aligned with the ballbearings 209 and the force from the side of the stem 220 is removed. Theball bearings 209 are then free to move into an unlocked position. Inthe unlocked position, the ball bearings 209 disengage the groove 204and move inside the head 208. The disk 201 can then be removed from thehead 208 and either reversed and returned or replaced with another disk.

FIG. 4 shows the quick release detachable brush assembly 400 accordingto an embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the assembly 400includes a disk 401, a brush 402 attached to a first side 411 of thedisk 401, an attachment head 408 projecting from the center of thesecond side 412 of the disk 401, and a shaft 405.

The attachment head 408 is shown as a square block. However, it shouldbe understood that the attachment head 408 could be any circular ornon-circular shape and should not limit the scope of the invention. Theattachment head 408 is provided to engage an aperture 403 in the shaft405. The aperture could also be provided in some type of hand tool. Thedisk 401 attaches to the shaft 405 in a similar manner as disk 101attached to shaft 105 in FIG. 1 or in a similar manner as disk 201attached to shaft 205 in FIG. 2. The difference being that the head andaperture are located on the opposite components.

The head 408 is provided with a securing member 406. As shown in FIG. 4,the securing member 406 comprises an O-ring. When the securing member406 comprises an O-ring, the complimentary aperture 403 is provided withcorresponding grooves to accept the O-ring and provide a friction fit,as described above. It should be understood that a single O-ring isshown for the purpose of clarity and the securing member 406 couldinclude any of the above mentioned securing members or a combination ofthe above mentioned securing members.

FIG. 5 shows the quick release detachable brush assembly 500 accordingto an embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the assembly 500includes a disk 501, a brush 502 attached to a first side 511 of thedisk 501, an aperture 503 formed in the disk 501, a groove 504 formed inthe aperture 503, and a shaft 505. The shaft 505 comprises an elongatedportion 507, a head 508, and a securing member 506.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the head 508 and the aperture 503 aresimilar to that shown in FIG. 1 with the difference being that they aresubstantially non-circular. Although the non-circular head 508 andaperture 503 are shown to be substantially triangular, it should beunderstood that any circular or non-circular shape may be used.

The disk 501 attaches to the shaft 505 in a similar manner as disk 101attached to shaft 105 in FIG. 1 or in a similar manner as disk 201attached to shaft 205 in FIG. 2. The difference being the shape of theaperture 503 and the shaft 505.

The head 508 is provided with a securing member 506. As shown in FIG. 5,the securing member 506 comprises an O-ring. When the securing membercomprises an O-ring, the complimentary aperture 503 is provided with acorresponding groove 504 to accept the O-ring and provide a frictionfit, as described above. It should be understood that a single O-ring isshown for the purpose of clarity and the securing member 506 couldinclude any of the above mentioned securing members or a combination ofthe above mentioned securing members.

The detailed descriptions of the above embodiments are not exhaustivedescriptions of all embodiments contemplated by the inventors to bewithin the scope of the invention. Indeed, persons skilled in the artwill recognize that certain elements of the above-described embodimentsmay variously be combined or eliminated to create further embodiments,and such further embodiments fall within the scope and teachings of theinvention. It will also be apparent to those of ordinary skill in theart that the above-described embodiments may be combined in whole or inpart to create additional embodiments within the scope and teachings ofthe invention.

Thus, although specific embodiments of, and examples for, the inventionare described herein for illustrative purposes, various equivalentmodifications are possible within the scope of the invention, as thoseskilled in the relevant art will recognize. The teachings providedherein can be applied to other brush assemblies, and not just to theembodiments described above and shown in the accompanying figures.Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined from thefollowing claims.

1. A quick release detachable brush assembly comprising: a disk having afirst side and a second side, wherein the center of the disk includes anaperture; at least one brush attached to the first side or second sideof the disk; and a shaft having an elongated portion and a head, whereinthe head is complementary to the aperture and engages the aperture toremovably secure the disk to the shaft.
 2. The quick release detachablebrush assembly of claim 1, wherein the aperture in the center of thedisk comprises a through hole.
 3. The quick release detachable brushassembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one brush comprises a brushattached to both the first side and the second side of the disk and thebrushes include apertures in the center that substantially conform tothe aperture in the disk.
 4. The quick release detachable brush assemblyof claim 1, wherein one or both of the aperture and the head includesone or more securing members and one or more grooves are formed oppositethe one or more securing members on one or both of the aperture and thehead, wherein the one or more securing members engage the one or moregrooves to removably secure the disk to the shaft.
 5. The quick releasedetachable brush assembly of claim 4, wherein the one or more securingmembers comprise one or more O-rings.
 6. The quick release detachablebrush assembly of claim 4, wherein the one or more securing memberscomprise one or more ball bearings.
 7. The quick release detachablebrush assembly of claim 6, further comprising a means for applying andremoving a force on the one or more ball bearings to engage anddisengage the one or more ball bearings from the one or more grooves. 8.The quick release detachable brush assembly of claim 1, wherein theaperture and the head are substantially non-circular.
 9. The quickrelease detachable brush assembly of claim 1, wherein one or both of thehead and the aperture include one or more alignment projections and oneor more alignment grooves are formed opposite the one or more alignmentprojections on one or both of the head and aperture, wherein thealignment projections must engage the alignment grooves for the head toengage the aperture.
 10. A quick release detachable brush assemblycomprising: a disk having a first side and a second side, wherein thesecond side includes an attachment head projecting from the center ofthe second side; a brush attached to the first side of the disk; and ashaft having an elongated portion and an aperture, wherein theattachment head engages the aperture to removably secure the disk to theshaft.
 11. The quick release detachable brush assembly of claim 10,wherein one or both of the attachment head and the aperture includes oneor more securing members and one or more grooves are formed opposite theone or more securing members on one or both of the attachment head andthe aperture, wherein the one or more securing members engage the one ormore grooves to removably secure the disk to the shaft.
 12. The quickrelease detachable brush assembly of claim 11, wherein the one or moresecuring members comprise one or more O-rings.
 13. The quick releasedetachable brush assembly of claim 11, wherein the one or more securingmembers comprise one or more ball bearings.
 14. The quick releasedetachable brush assembly of claim 13, further comprising a means forapplying and removing a force on the one or more ball bearings to engageand disengage the one or more ball bearings from the one or moregrooves.
 15. The quick release detachable brush assembly of claim 10,wherein the attachment head and the aperture are substantiallynon-circular.
 16. The quick release detachable brush assembly of claim10, wherein one or both of the attachment head and the aperture includeone or more alignment projections and one or more alignment grooves areformed opposite the one or more alignment projections on one or both ofthe attachment head and aperture, wherein the alignment projections mustengage the alignment grooves for the attachment head to engage theaperture.
 17. A method of forming a quick release detachable brushassembly comprising: providing a disk having a first side and a secondside; providing an aperture in the disk; attaching at least one brush tothe first side or the second side of the disk; providing a shaft havingan elongated portion and a head, wherein the head is complementary tothe aperture and engages the aperture to removably secure the disk tothe shaft.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the aperture in thecenter of the disk comprises a through hole.
 19. The method of claim 17,wherein attaching at least one brush to the first side or second side ofthe disk further comprises attaching a brush to both the first side andthe second side of the disk, wherein the brushes include apertures inthe center that substantially conform to the aperture in the disk. 20.The method of claim 17, further providing one or both of the apertureand the head with one or more securing members and forming one or moregrooves opposite the one or more securing members on one or both of theaperture and the head, wherein the one or more securing members engagethe one or more grooves to removably secure the disk to the shaft. 21.The method of claim 20, wherein the one or more securing memberscomprise one or more O-rings.
 22. The method of claim 20, wherein theone or more securing members comprise one or more ball bearings.
 23. Themethod of claim 22, further providing a stem for applying and removing aforce on the one or more ball bearings to engage and disengage the oneor more ball bearings from the one or more grooves.
 24. The method ofclaim 17, wherein the aperture and the head are substantiallynon-circular.
 25. The method of claim 17, further providing one or bothof the head and the aperture with one or more alignment projections andforming one or more alignment grooves opposite the one or more alignmentprojections on one or both of the head and the aperture, wherein thealignment projections must engage the alignment grooves for the head toengage the aperture.